Reps propose Rivers administrator reports to National Assembly, not FEC

THE CABLE

The house of representatives  has approved a recommendation requiring Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Rivers state administrator, to report to the National Assembly instead of the federal executive council (FEC).

BACKGROUND

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political crisis in the south-south state.

The president also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and members of the state assembly.

Tinubu nominated Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, to administer the state.

The president said the administrator would not make any new laws but can formulate regulations subject to the review and approval of the federal executive council and promulgated by the president for the state.

THE RECOMMENDATION

While approving the president’s emergency rule on Thursday, Etanabene Benedict from Delta state, cited section 11 of the constitution, proposed that the administrator should report to the national assembly and not to the federal executive council as announced by the president.